What is “Virtual Visitation?”

Virtual visitation refers to the use of webcams, Skype, ipads and other internet tools to provide regular communication between the non-custodial parent and his or her child. In 2004 Utah became the first state to legislate virtual visitation in divorce decrees.

Is virtual visitation a good idea? Given that many divorced parents are very much on-the-move or living far from one another it may seem like a logical step to provide at least some form of communication between the child and the distance parent.

According to a report published for the National Center for State Courts, “an estimated 18-million children have separated or divorced parents, and an additional 17-million children’s parents have never been married.”  At least one out of four of these children have a parent living in a different city.

The report findings reveal that within four years after separation or divorce, 75% of  single mothers will relocate at least once, and of that number over half will do so again. As a result, close to 10 million children do not have regular face-to-face interaction with one of their parents.

In short, advocates say  virtual visitation is a step in the right direction for divorced parents who live far from one another. Critics say virtual visitation can be “improperly used” by courts to justify relocating a chid away from the non-custodial parent.

This topic has it’s obvious pros and cons, what do you think of virtual visitation? Should it be legislated as part of a divorce decree? Is it a good thing? (Let us know by sharing your comments below!)